HUTCHINSON, Kan. — If the zoning and other issues can be overcome there may a future tenant in the old Medical Center building at 1125 N Main.

A public hearing is set for the next Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday Dec 20, regarding a proposal to put an adult day care center at the former medical complex. City zoning regulations prohibit such a center within a commercial district. The Commission has already held a study session to determine what can be done to accommodate the center which would operate during the day time only.

Currently there are 4,600 such facilities in the US, and the need for them is growing by the day. Kansas has just 14 of these centers which provide services such as therapeutic activities, meals, transportation, caregiver support groups, personal assistance, social services and rehab therapy, some which can be covered by insurance. About 80% of the centers have a professional nursing staff.

The centers in Kansas are quite expensive at this time, which is most likely caused by the low number of facilities. The average monthly cost for such a day care in Kansas is about $79 per day, or about $1,733 a month. Both are well above the national average.  

If approved by the planning commission the matter would go before the City Council Jan.  3. The planning commission meeting is set for Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Hutchinson City offices.